Will I be disappointed with POR?

[mommyarewegoingback]

We have done AKL and POR. While I love the grounds at POR, you're in FL, and it rains in FL, so when it rained at POR we had to run through the rain to get to the lobby and food. At AKL, you've got inside hallways, Boma and more activities for kids. That being said, we just decided to do POR Royal Rooms in April. Love those rooms which are unique to any other rooms at WDW. Godd luck!
-Virginia

 

[buzznina]

We stayed at Poly on our first trip and POR twice since then. Trying CSR on our next trip. Now that we've seen the difference between deluxe and mod, it's hard for us to justify the extra cost for deluxe when mods have everything we want.

We are the same, the clincher for us was when they added queen beds to all Mods but CBR

 

[nkereina]

Differing opinion here. I've stayed at values, mods, deluxe and DVC. I like the mods least because I don't think the product justifies the expense. If I wasn't doing DVC or deluxe, I'd stay value because I think that the value for dollar is better. The rooms at the mods are basically motel rooms. The extra money buys you landscaping and a nicer lobby. Not worth it. Go value or stay at AKL.

Values and mods both have rooms with exterior corridors. Disney resorts of any level are not comparable to motels. In the industry, motels are classified by their lack of food options, lack of lobby, and no services other than rooms. Just didn't want anyone to confuse these resorts with what a motel actually is

 

[Three cats]

POR is a very nice resort, very pretty. It's only DH and I smaller room size doesn't matter to us. You won't have a balcony which I prefer but not a big deal. The only thing that keeps me from staying there is the hot tub situation. There is only one at the main pool that is always filled with kids jumping, diving treating it like a pool. Same thing seems to happen at main pools at deluxe resorts but the hot tubs at the quiet pools are usually not like that. If the hot tub doesn't matter to you then I think you will enjoy POR.

As someone else going back and forth between AKL and POR, I wonder.....seeing as though AKL has only one main pool and no quiet pools, do you think the hot tub is over-run there as well?

 

[karmacats]

DH and I used to stay deluxe - AKL twice, Poly twice, WL once. Then the bad economy hit us a few years ago and we switched to moderates. Hated POFQ, didn't really like CS, but loved loved loved POR. AKL is still my favorite, but POR is a close second. I like POR better than Poly and WL.

I love the view of the animals at AKL (we always stayed savannah view), but POR has such beautiful landscaping, it's very peaceful to walk around or to sit outside your room and look at the view. We always request AB with a view of landscaping rather than a parking lot, and it's just beautiful. I do miss the balconies at AKL, but POR has "bump outs" in the walkways where you can put chairs (we take the ones from the little table inside the room) and sit and look at the view while staying out of the walkway, and it's practically like having a balcony (we call it our "redneck balcony" ). I thought the outside corridors would mean a lot less privacy, but we also request a room in the middle of the corridor, and because there are stairs on either end of most corridors no one really walks by the rooms in the middle. Also, we've always had great service at POR.

We're staying at AKL in April as a splurge for my 40th b-day and because we got a great deal (35% off club level because we booked with a bounceback), but if we couldn't get a discount on a club level or savannah view room, I'd rather save some $$$ and stay at POR. I don't really feel like I'm missing out on the deluxe vibe when I stay there.

 

[roydavid7771]

My wife and I recently stayed at POR for Marathon Weekend. We were always a bit curious about staying at the mods, so we decided to give the Royal rooms a try. I agree that the resort itself is quite lovely, however I readily admit that I am a deluxe snob and prefer the location and amenities that go with them (I really hate buses!). I like having the option of alternate transportation back to my resort (which is usually dedicated to that resort only). The boat ride to DTD was great though!

Given the option, while I would never say no to staying at POR, I would much rather prefer my home resort, BCV....

 

[sue1013]

As someone else going back and forth between AKL and POR, I wonder.....seeing as though AKL has only one main pool and no quiet pools, do you think the hot tub is over-run there as well?

I've never stayed at AKL don't have any experience with that resort. But I would think if there is only one hot tub it would be the same situation as POR.

 

[Lizzybean]

POR is a very nice resort, very pretty. It's only DH and I smaller room size doesn't matter to us. You won't have a balcony which I prefer but not a big deal. The only thing that keeps me from staying there is the hot tub situation. There is only one at the main pool that is always filled with kids jumping, diving treating it like a pool. Same thing seems to happen at main pools at deluxe resorts but the hot tubs at the quiet pools are usually not like that. If the hot tub doesn't matter to you then I think you will enjoy POR.

We just returned from POR and the hot tub situation made DH crazy. FW has a hot tub at the quiet pool so we assumed there would be at least one other hot tub for how large POR is. We were disappointed. The bussing was also a disaster but that happens sometimes and perhaps we just had bad luck. It's too bad bc POR is a really beautiful resort. We may use it in the future if we are planning a split or short stay but that's probably it.

Next trip this summer we are staying deluxe at BC or YC.

 

[lady_hlh]

I've never stayed at AKL don't have any experience with that resort. But I would think if there is only one hot tub it would be the same situation as POR.

We stayed at POR in a royal room last year. I liked it better than CSR, it had lovely grounds and a great food court. However we've been staying at deluxe resorts for the last few years and my DH and DD only wanted to book a deluxe again this year. We stayed at AKL and POR, I would have to say we all preferred AKL and we had AKL booked again for this year before we switched to CR garden wing. There are 2 more secluded hot tubs at AKL,which are adjacent to the main pool, I don't remember ever seeing any kids in them even in August. My DH is a huge pool fan and he didn't care for any of the pools at POR even the quite pools.

 

[Sammie]

We own DVC and have not stayed in anything else in years. This past October we went a day earlier than planned and stayed at POR and loved it.

You will not be disappointed unless not having a balcony is a deal breaker and outsider corridors instead of hallways.

As to hot tub problems, if it is over run with children using it as a pool, for goodness sake go get a manager. Until people complain about these situations they will not get any better.

 

[closetmickey]

We have stayed at BC, AKL, and last trip we did a split stay between Poly and POR. We loved POR- though granted, my husband was not with us the last trip and he tends to be harder to please. We adored the Poly, but were not disappointed in POR. Ask for a ground level floor- we were at the front of a building (had a Royal room) and loved being able to open the door and let the kids play. Or it gave me a beautiful area to leave the kids inside watching tv and find a little peace and quiet. The grounds are just very Disney- so well done and beautiful. Kids loved the pool and the activities, a highlight of their trip. And you have to make time to take the boat to DtD.

We loved the AKL but it did feel a ways out there. The food options were wonderful. Both resorts have busses only to the parks, as you know. Unless the room is a savannah view, I would probably stay put at the POR. If it is, then.......

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We have stayed at GF, Poly, and WL before staying at POR. And we were very happy with our decision. It is a beautiful resort, we did the horse drawn carriage ride and loved it. We stayed in the mansions and when we told our driver this she took us through Alligator Bayou. We want to go back to POR and stay here because of all the vegetation. It's a beautiful resort to wander around, the walk to the FQ is very nice, the boat to DTD is handy, we had NO issues with the bus. But I'm sure transportation will be hit or miss where ever you stay.

I say give it a chance

 

[a1tinkfans]

Leaving next week for POR. We have only stayed deluxe before. I am second guessing myself like crazy ( probably belong on the resort changers board). I have officially driven my DH so crazy that he will leave the room if I try to ask him a trip question. So my question is this, having only stayed at deluxes and DVC resorts, will POR be a let down? Should I pay an extra $300 for AkL or an extra $800 for WL? Help!

beautiful resort, but my only way to stay there is preferred room ...cause otherwise its very big and you can be walking for a long time, not a fan of that after park days...and since they have the best food court and the best mercantile, and that inside bar I need to be near shop and sustenance
have a great time...
Beautiful resort (and I have stayed many deluxes and CL myself, still LOVE por!!)

 

[Flyerfan]

Oooh! You all have me wishing I was staying at POR this next stay. We love it there (have stayed twice in the past) and originally had reservations for May but decided to shell out more $$ and changed it to SSR. We had DVC for several years and got spoiled. BUT, now I'm wondering if we made the right decision. DH will kill me if I change it again. The reason we changed it was because we spend a bit more time at the resort than the parks and we love the balcony, kitchenette, sofa, etc. It feels less like a hotel room that way. Maybe not enough to justify the extra $$. I'm re-thinking this now.

OP....you won't be disappointed staying at POR. I'm just being a little picky at the moment.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

We were just at AKL club level for 4 nights and have been transferred to por and love it more.